Military Naturalization Statistics

U.S. service members, veterans and their families may be eligible for certain immigration benefits in recognition of their important sacrifices. Specifically, veterans and current service members may be eligible to become U.S. citizens through naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These provisions reduce or eliminate certain general requirements for naturalization, including the requirements for the applicant to have resided in and been physically present in the United States for a specific period of time before naturalizing.¹

Since 2002, we have naturalized more than 139,000 members of the U.S. military, both at home and abroad. Naturalization ceremonies have taken place in more than 30 countries from Albania to the United Arab Emirates.² In the last five years (fiscal years 2016 – 2020), we have naturalized almost 30,000 service members. In FY 2020, we naturalized more than 4,500 service members, about the same number as the previous year. Authorization for the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program (PDF) expired on Sept. 30, 2017, contributing to a decrease in military naturalizations. The MAVNI program, authorized by the Department of Defense in 2008, allowed certain individuals who were not U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents to enlist if they had skills considered vital to the national interest.

Approvals by Fiscal Year (2016 – 2020)

Bar graph 2016 - 9300, 2017 - 7110, 2018 - 4680, 2019 - 4350 - 2020 - 4350

Countries of Birth

Service members born in the Philippines, Mexico, China, South Korea and Jamaica—the top five countries of birth among those naturalized—comprised more than 40% of the naturalizations since FY 2016. The next five countries of birth—Nigeria, Nepal, India, Ghana and Kenya—comprised an additional 20% of military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020.

Top Five Countries of Birth (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Graphic showing percentages , Mexico -9.1, Jamaica - 6.5, China- 7.5, Philippines - 10.7, South Korea - 7.5.

Age

Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalized. The median age of all service members who naturalized between FY 2016 to FY 2020 was 26 years old. More than 20% were 21 and under when they naturalized. Almost 7% were older than 41 when they naturalized.

Age at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Graphic showing ages and percentages. 17and 18 - 3.7, 19 to 21 - 19.3, 22 to 25 - 24.8, 26 to 30 - 25.2, 31 to 35 - 15.8, 36 to 40 - 4.6, 41and above - 6.7 end

Gender

Men comprised 78% of all service members naturalized between FY 2016 and FY 2020. The proportion of male and female service members naturalized remained consistent across years.

Gender at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Graphic showing gender by percentage, 22 for women and 78 for men thank you for listening your friend USCIS

Branch of Service

Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised about two-thirds (62%) of all military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1% of military naturalizations from FY 2016 to FY 2020.³

Branch of Military at Naturalization (FY 2016 – FY 2020)

Graphic showing percentages by service branch, Army - 62.2, Navy - 14.2, Marines - 8.6, Air Force - 7.8, Coast Guard - 0.4

Tables

Data Table 1: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2016-2020) and Top 10 Countries
Country of Birth	FY16	FY17	FY18	FY19	FY20	Total
Philippines	1,010	880	460	410	450	3,220
Mexico	860	790	440	340	310	2,740
China	810	410	290	380	370	2,250
South Korea	830	390	250	510	280	2,240
Jamaica	490	570	320	210	380	1,960
Nigeria	350	240	220	180	340	1,320
Nepal	470	140	140	160	100	1,000
India	260	120	260	230	110	980
Ghana	260	260	150	80	230	970
Kenya	250	160	120	90	100	710
Others	3,720	3,180	2,050	1,780	1,870	12,590
Total	9,300	7,110	4,680	4,350	4,530	29,970

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2020.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 2: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2016-2020) and Age at Naturalization
Age at Naturalization	FY16	FY17	FY18	FY19	FY20	Total
17 and 18 years old	490	490	110	10	0	1,100
19-21 years old	2,020	1,870	750	620	510	5,770
22-25 years old	2,580	1,710	1,030	1,050	7,430
26-30 years old	2,310	1,550	1,210	1,220	1,260	7,550
31-35 years old	1,110	930	860	740	1,100	4,730
36-40 years old	280	220	280	260	360	1,390
41+ years old	510	360	430	440	260	2,000
Total	9,300	7,110	4,680	4,350	4,530	29,970

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2020.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 3: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year and Gender (2016-2020)
Gender	FY16	FY17	FY18	FY19	FY20	Total
Men	7,380	5,620	3,560	3,380	3,420	23,370
Women	1,920	1,490	1,120	970	1,110	6,610
Total	9,300	7,110	4,680	4,350	4,530	29,970

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2020.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 4: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2016-2020) and Service Branch
Service Branch	FY16	FY17	FY18	FY19	FY20	Total
Air Force	760	690	280	180	420	2,330
Army	5,790	4,150	2,720	3,020	2,960	18,650
Coast Guard	20	30	20	20	20	110
Marines	1,140	770	220	240	220	2,580
Navy	1,580	990	420	450	830	4,260
Unknown	10	480	1,030	440	90	2,040
Total	9,300	7,110	4,680	4,350	4,530	29,970

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2020.

Notes: Military branches include the Reserves and National Guard; for example, the Army includes both the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

¹ Read more information on the naturalization process and eligibility for service members, veterans and their families on our website.

²Executive Order 13269 (PDF), signed on July 3, 2002, designated the War on Terrorism (beginning on Sept. 11, 2001) as a period in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged in armed conflict with a hostile foreign force for the purposes of section 329 of the INA. As a result, those who served honorably in the armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible for naturalization in accordance with the statutory exceptions to the naturalization requirements provided in INA 329.

³ About 7% of naturalizations did not list a service branch in our system.

Last Reviewed/Updated:

03/03/2021